TRF Rolex Library: Vintage Rolex "UnderLine___" Dials...Theory or Hypothesis...

[Orchi]

Err...for years worldwide Vintage Rolex watch collectors...
n dealers have been debating about the RARE existence of Vintage
Rolex watches that have the perculiar "UnderLine" mark on the watch Dials...





These "Underline" marks on Dials are normally in White single underline plot....
that MAY or May NOT appear on Rolex watches that were produced between 1957(late 50s) until the early 60s only...
n which MAY include the following watch models that are HIGHLY collectible & valuable these days...such as...

Ref 6542 GMT Master...(1953 to 1959)
Ref 1675 GMT Master...(1958 to 1980)
Ref 6609 Turn-O-Graph...(1956 to 1959)
Ref 1625 Turn-O-Graph...(1959 to 1977)
Ref 6238 Daytona 1961 - 1967
Ref 6239 Daytona 1963 - 1969
Ref 6610 Explorer 1955 - 1959
Ref 5504 Explorer 1957 - 1959
Ref 5500 Explorer 1958 - 1967
Ref 1016 Explorer 1959 - 1990
Ref 6538A Submariner 1955 - 1959
Ref 6536/1 Submariner 1955 - 1959
Ref 6536 Submariner 1955 - 1959
Ref 6538 Submariner 1955 - 1959
Ref 5510 Submariner 1958 - 1959
Ref 5508 Submariner 1958 - 1962
Ref 5512 Submariner 1959 - 1978
Ref 5513 Submariner 1962 - 1989
Ref 6541 Milgauss 1955 - 1962
Ref 1019 Milgauss 1962 - 1988

Some may be in Black line plot on Dials that are either in White or Silver...
or plotted in White on Black Glossy Dials...

The "UnderLine" appeared either on the TOP Half...or the BOTTOM Half of the Dials...at random.

Until fairly recently...few versions of "explanations" by world renown collectors n dealers...
have often surfaced in conversations & published materials on the relevant subject matter...
either off-line or on-line.

Some versions of the "explanations" to the "UnderLine" subject are...

1. that the "UnderLine" present on Dials...is to facilitate as an alignment
for Dial printing by the Rolex's contracted Dial suppliers...

2. that the "UnderLine" present on Dials...is to mark the 1st batch of the
production of certain Rolex watch models...

3. that the "UnderLine" present on Dials...is for decorative purpose only.

Thus during Orchi's attempts to understand the RARE appearance of the
"UnderLine" on Dials of such Rolex models as mentioned above...
Orchi could NOT come to a better understanding of the existence of why
Rolex had intended the "UnderLine" to appear on VERY Fewer of their watches of those era...

Until fairly recently...when Orchi has had the greatest privilege to meet with
Mr. James M. Dowling(& his lovely Wife Minda) - the Author of...

The Best of Time
ROLEX
WRISTWATCHES
An Unauthorized History
by James M. Dowling & Jeffrey P. Hess

http://www.ukwatches.com/book.html

or also known as "Mr. Rolex" to the worldwide Rolex Vintage watch fans...
Orchi popped the question about the early Rolex watches with "UnderLine" on
the Rolex Dials...

A Very Kind Gentleman & Teacher that he is...always willing to share his
wealth of knowledge about Vintage Rolex watches...
James shared with Orchi...that the present of SIMPLY the "UnderLine" on
Dials alone were meant to indicate the formal change in the usage of
"Tritium" for making the Dial markers & hands to be luminous...
as intended by Rolex at the time...to conform to the regulatory requirement
by the authorities then...in replacement of "Radium" which was used for
many years previously in the watchmaking history to make the Dial markers & Hands luminous...
that was previously marked as "SWISS" on ALL Rolex Dials...until
the late 50s...or early 60s.

In its history of "Radium" usage...
"Radium" was discovered to be very lethal in its radioactive dosage...
causing harmful side effects particularly to the Dial painters or those that
have been widely exposed to the highly radioactive substance Radium"...
such was in this past infamous incident which had previously occurred way back in 1917...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radium_Girls

Eventually by late 50s "Radium" had to be phase out completely...
n as quickly as possible then by watch producers worldwide.

It was later ONLY became compulsory that the usage of "Tritium" with much
Milder dosage of radioactivity level(eg. <25 micro Sv/h)...
be marked accordingly either by adding the plot "T" at 6 o'clock position of the Dials...
in later production of watches by Rolex in particular from early 60s...

It was also during the same Transitional Period soon after the change from
"Radium" to "Tritium"...most of the remaining Dials in stocks...
that were previously contracted & made by the relevant Rolex's Dial suppliers...
had to be re-marked or re-printed with the additional "T" or "T<25 variant"
plots to indicate the MILD radioactivity usage of of "Tritium" instead of
"Radium" on the available Dials which had been Pre-printed with "SWISS" at
the 6 o'clock position of ALL the remaining Dials in stocks...
believed to be in limited quantities then.

Therefore...with Orchi's own somewhat clearer understanding of the purpose
n intention by Rolex for the use of the "Underline" plot on those RARE remaining Dials...
Orchi hopes to share the above...n the following articles published from the VRF...in here.

http://www.network54.com/Forum/20759...ne.%28scans%29

http://www.network54.com/Forum/20759...million+serial...

http://www.network54.com/Forum/20759...%3B..%28%2B%29

http://www.network54.com/Forum/20759...BT+SWISS+T%26q

Thanks for watching...